U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue Monday announced the appointment of 18 new members and 12 returning members to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF).

"Food safety and ensuring public health continue to be at the forefront of USDA's mission," said Perdue. "The committee members represent a diverse group from academia, consumers, the food industry, laboratories, consultants, and government agencies all of
which play an important role in providing scientific advice and expertise to USDA on food safety and wholesomeness."

NACMCF was established in 1988 by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the Department of
Commerce (National Marine Fisheries Service), and the U.S. Department of Defense. NACMCF is a discretionary advisory committee that provides impartial scientific advice and peer reviews to food safety agencies on public health issues related to the safety
and wholesomeness of domestic, imported and exported foods.